Agriculture Subsector
Agricultural production and related activities is the major activity for majority of the district population. The crop sub sector is highly prominent and the major food crops include bananas, maize, upland rice, cassava, sweet potatoes ground nuts, beans, finger millet, and simsim.
The major cash crops are sugar cane, cotton, tobacco, coffee, and sunflower. Other high value and income generating enterprises are vegetables, fruits and spices. Upland rice is becoming a strategic enterprise in the district for boosting household incomes and food security.
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Challenge/Constraint |
Cause |
Effects |
Strategies |
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Poor post harvest handling methods |
- Inadequate skills by the community - High poverty levels so lack of post-harvest equipment
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Famine Low prices for produce |
-Sensitization and support to farmers on improved post harvest handling methods. -set demonstrations |
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Monoculture on traditional low value agro inputs |
-Reluctance of farmers to shift from previous historical crops |
- Loss of income when crops fail - Food insecurity - Malnourishment - Limited market for products |
- Community sensitization on enterprise selection and enterprise mix - Introduce and produce high value crops |
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Soil degradation |
- Poor farming methods - Deforestation |
- Low productivity - Low household incomes |
- Train farmers in soil fertility management - Encourage farmers to plant more trees - Sensitize farmers on optimum carrying capacity |
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Overwhelming Post harvest losses |
- Poor storage facilities - Poor drying methods - Inadequate skills on post harvest handling |
- Reduction in the quality and quantity of agricultural produce - Low household incomes - Low nutritional levels |
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Household food insecurity and low incomes amongst the small holder farmers |
- Inadequate farming land - Use of poor quality seed and inputs -Unregulated selling off of foodstuffs - Erratic weather - Dependency on traditional farming methods -Concentration on growing commercial crops like sugarcane and tobacco |
- Low production and productivity - Low household incomes - Malnutrition - High prices of foodstuffs |
- Enforcing byelaws and ordinance on food security issues - Training farmers on nitritional aspects - Training farmers in modern production - Technologies and best management practices - Provision of high yielding technologies
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Masindi Agricultural demonstration Centre (MADEC)
The centre was established by MDLG for the purpose of enabling farmer’s access assorted trainings related to agriculture, get easy access to improved technologies i.e. seeds, planting materials and breeds in addition to the centre being self sustaining. Basic structures were put in place; accommodation, catering and classroom settings. The centre is now operational.
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Challenge/Constraint |
Cause |
Effects |
Strategies |
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No electricity |
No generator /power line |
The facility cannot be fully operational |
Extension of power grid from Pakanyi to MADEC |
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No clean water for livestock and human consumption |
The original pump was stolen |
No water for livestock and domestic use |
procurement |
Achievements
- Distributed improved cassava cuttings from mother garden to farmers all over the district
- Conducted different residential workshops at the centre
- Demonstration gardens on Cassava, maize and pineapples set